Santa Monica, CA  December 12, 2011  Ridiculously high scoring trick combos return to videogame consoles this summer in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD, today announced Activision Publishing Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard Inc., (Nasdaq: ATVI). Developed by Robomodo, this digital title takes the best elements of the classic THPS games and gives them a fresh update to create an all new skateboarding experience. The game will be available only on leading consoles' networks for about $15.

"We're going back to the core of what made the original Tony Hawk's Pro Skater games so popular, while leveraging today's console power and online capabilities," said Tony Hawk. "We've updated many elements to reflect today's skateboarding scene as well. Long-time fans of the series will appreciate the huge amount of polished content at a very low price."

"Tony is not only a legend in the skateboarding world, he's an American icon that has had a major impact on videogames. We couldn't be happier to be working with him again," said David Oxford, Activision Publishing. "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD just feels right  we're simply giving fans what they've been clamoring for."

I wouldn't mind a new soundtrack if they stuck with punk/skate punk bands. Though that genre is, as far as I know, way way less popular now than it was when the series first came out.

I would mind a new soundtrack. If the game is being touted as a "remake" it needs to have the original soundtrack, along with the levels and move sets. I mean basically all I'd want them to do is to be able to incorporate things like manuals and other things that were improved on in 2 (since they aren't touching 3, so no reverts) along with online play (free skate, timed missions, S-K-A-T-E, ect). I just hope they don't screw it up :(

Yep. One of the best devs of two generations ago is doing map packs. Makes me wonder if they'd be like Rare if they got to make a new game. No idea why Activision leashes them so hard. I'm surprised they haven't been shut down.

They need to go Halo: Anniversary and have the old engine running in the background.

...YES.

Actually, do that, but have the soundtrack/skaters dynamically change depending on whether it's classic or modern. Have Billy Talent or something playing in modern style, press Select, and then have the graphics go to shit and "Goldfinger" start playing. :D

One of the biggest questions I’ve seen come up since the announcement of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD is “will it feature the original soundtrack?”

Probably not, for a few reasons. If you’ve got a few minutes, I can explain.

...

First of all, “original soundtrack” to which game? THPS HD is not a straight reissue; it’s neither THPS1 or THPS2, but a new game based on the levels and gameplay from both of those games.

Second, music licensing is a one-time deal. The songs from the original games were only licensed for those specific games on those specific platforms at that specific time. Any other versions created later would need new licensing deals. This is also why not all songs from earlier Guitar Hero games are importable into later games: They only signed permission for it to be used in that one game. Any change means it’s a different deal.

Now, that does not mean they might not try to get some of the songs from the original games, but it’s simply not a sure thing. I don’t know what that song selection process is, to be honest, but if you have a request, there’s a Facebook page. But from a legal/licensing standpoint, they are back to square one. Having the same levels of the original games is not the same thing as having the same soundtrack.

Third, consider that the THPS series was famous helping break new bands on its soundtracks; the reason a lot of these songs are such a strong part of people’s memories — beyond sheer repetition during gameplay! — is that THPS is the game that introduced you to that song or that artist. It’s entirely possible that the devs will stick with that tradition and mix up some classic tracks with new music. If that turns out to be the case, all you can hope is that some of those classic tracks are the ones you remember.

I do not think we’ll hear any sort of official soundtrack announcement for some time (most games keep chasing song permissions until right before release), but I don’t want to see anybody get their hopes or expectations up and convince themselves that their favorite song from the early games will be in there. Right now, everything is unknown, and there’s a lot more work to do before things are final.

Worst case scenario? Create a playlist and play the old songs while you play the new game. And cross your fingers in the meantime.

Originally Posted by gamesradar

Now, if you'll excuse us, we need to go post "INCLUDE THAT SUPERMAN SONG BY GOLDFINDER" on the games' Facebook page 500 times. This needs to happen.

THP3 (& PGR 1) was the game that sold me hardest on custom soundtracks so I have literally no interest in them licensing the godawful mall punk/beige backpack rap of the originals.
Boards of Canada, Brian Eno and Frank Sinatra custom playlist = meditative combo bliss

Jesus christ skimping on music again? It's not like the tracks from THPS1&2 can be that expensive? Not too many big 'hits' on there.

Activision has just gotten about a billion in cash from Modern Warfare 3, they cant bring it to put the legit soundtrack in here?

Seriously Activision, no original OST no fucking buy.

Having a lot of money doesn't mean you break your budget on games at will. It won't have the original soundtrack, but it'll almost certainly support custom soundtracks, so it's not going to be a point of contention for me anyway.

All that matters is replicating the feel of the games and having good online functionality.

At least the skater I always used, Rodney Mullen, is in. Although doesn't really matter if flatland tricks aren't included (they were added with 4 right?)
Pretty much used him because he had good manual balance from the outset.

Having a lot of money doesn't mean you break your budget on games at will. It won't have the original soundtrack, but it'll almost certainly support custom soundtracks, so it's not going to be a point of contention for me anyway.

All that matters is replicating the feel of the games and having good online functionality.

I think implying the music was the primary driver of enjoyment in the game is doing the game a disservice, but the PS3 argument is valid. I was only thinking of 360.

I'm not saying it's the primary driver of enjoyment in this game but it certainly goes hand in hand with the gameplay in my opinion. Too many hours spend in a gaming store playing the demo of thps 1 :D.

Seriously though, I'd be all over this if it was actually an HD remake with the same ridiculous/arcade gameplay as the originals. It seems to me they're just going back to the original levels with an HD sheen and chucking them in whatever the last non Kinect/Wii/Board Tony Hawk was.

Yep. One of the best devs of two generations ago is doing map packs. Makes me wonder if they'd be like Rare if they got to make a new game. No idea why Activision leashes them so hard. I'm surprised they haven't been shut down.

Seven levels from THPS and THPS2 are confirmed for the game: Warehouse, School 2, Mall, Phoenix, Hangar, Marseilles and Venice. These levels have been picked by Tony Hawk based on his opinions and feedback solicited from his fans on Twitter last summer.